Wall Street plan cuts parking

Parking on Wall Street between Wellesley and Francis avenues is going to be prohibited on both sides of the street following reconstruction work beginning later this month.

Currently, parking is prohibited on one side, but the ban will be extended to both sides between Broad and Decatur avenues, in part to allow for wider lanes and safe passage for bicycle riders, city officials said.

While that might seem like an inconvenience to residents and businesses along the strip, the fact is no one uses Wall to park because it seems too narrow.

“No one parks on Wall Street,” said Shan Graham, owner of American Jewelry at 5527 N. Wall St. “Your car would get sideswiped.”

City Water Department workers are digging in the street to service pipes and connections in advance of the full reconstruction of Wall to begin sometime after the middle of the month. Intermittent obstructions were expected from 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. each weekday.

Reconstruction of Wall Street is being financed from a 10-year, $117 million bond issue approved by voters in 2004.

Wall Street will be closed during the three months of expected work with detours recommended on Monroe and Division streets.

When reopened, Wall will have two 15-foot lanes for vehicle and bicycle travel.

The work will extend from near Princeton Avenue on the south to Francis Avenue on the north beginning in mid to late April. The work will start at the south end and move northward.

On Monday, the Spokane City Council approved a $1.3 million contract with Red Diamond Construction Inc., of Spokane Valley, for the work.

A concrete intersection is planned for Wall and Wellesley, requiring closure of the intersection and detours on Garland and Queen avenues for about three weeks. A temporary signal is being installed at Queen Avenue and Monroe Street.

Eighteen-inch water mains will be replaced at intersections with Wellesley and Rowan avenues and a 30-inch main replaced at Central Avenue. In addition, 66 individual water services in the street are being replaced.

Three community meetings and surveys were used to work with property owners in preparing for the project. The city is offering to replace any of 14 street trees requiring removal because of the digging.